Gear Check & review
In preparation for our year of travel, I did quite a bit of research on what gear and items would be essential. The internet had no shortage of sites dedicated to travel abroad or minimalist packing lists and I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to “Round the World” travel. Of course our best recommendations came from a few of our most well-traveled friends – Joanna, Ben, and Laura – THANK YOU! Here’s a start to my review of each of the items we purchased and brought along, some much more indispensable than others.
At the top of the list is actually an item our good friends Ben and Laura told us about. The pair are some of our most adventurous and well-traveled friends – and that is saying something! We were fortunate enough to catch up with them in northern Michigan just before we left. They were back in the states for a quick visit before heading back to Hong Kong where they currently live. They shared several recommendations of items that we have with us now, including: The Bagel (ranked first on my list of essential gear), Ben’s Backpack, waterproof shoes, and the “Scrubber”, Uniqlo clothing & underwear, Ben’s Shirts and undershirts, lululemon vest and running tights.
#1 – The Bagel – this international adapter/charger is one of the best, most smartly designed gadgets I think I’ve ever encountered! We LOVE it and bought 3 and should have gotten one for each of us.
#2 – Osprey Fairpoint Travel Backpack with Wheels - This is the pack I have, but Ben and the kids all have a version of it from Osprey. The kids are actually the carryon size. My pack fit everything I needed without allowing me to pack too much. So far I’ve only wheeled it, but have tested carrying it on my back and feel confident it will work great when wheeling it isn’t an option.
#3 – Packing Cubes – we bought several different kinds. I really like the ones I’m using by BAGAIL. They are lightweight and have mesh venting on the top so the clothes can breath, however, this may be an issue if my backpack ever gets wet. The kids are using all vinyl ones by EzPacking, which also work great and are completely transparent and would protect your clothes from any water that seeps through into your bag.
#4 – Lightweight, quick drying, travel clothes – OK, I did the most research and found a couple items that have been great:
Athleta Trekkie North shorts – these are both lightweight and quickdrying. I have one in black and one in a mustard yellow. They can look dressy or sporty and have two zipper pockets on the backside and a small one in the front, along with two normal front pockets; the zipper pockets are perfect for holding a small wallet, housekey, metro card, etc.
Amazon Essentials – Black Jogger – another great find and low cost! For about $30 these are one of my travel day essentials. I can pull the legs up if its hot or down if cold. They don’t show any dirt and can be washed in a sing and dried over night if need be. I got the full length version, but here’s what they look like in the cropped.
Old Navy – Grey Cargo Jogger – I purchased these on a whim about 2 days before we left the US. They were $40 (now on sale for $30)and like the Amazon Essential pants have become a go-to travel day option. Extra bonus with the cargo pockets.
Uniqlo Airism Anything – in particular the tanks and lightweight windbreaker, but I’ve heard the seamless underwear are also awesome (they were out of my size when I tried to buy them).
Tropicfeel water proof shoes – I just spent the day walking all through Paris in these lightweight, waterproof, and surprisingly comfortable (for how little support they have) shoes. They are super comfortable and the heel collapses in the back, so I can slip them on and off easily too.
#5 – Quick Dry Beach Towel – These lightweight, quick dry, sand free, towels form Elite Trend are great and stylish. We’ve already used them a few times and the are true to the description. We got the extra large size and we’ve already used them as a blanket for Ava one night.
Because Ben and I are often of a similar mind, he also started a Blog about travel gear (and was gonna highlight the recommendations of our friends Ben and Laura). So check out his thoughts on this topic too!
